Anterior shift of zonular insertion onto the anterior surface of human crystalline lens with age.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the age-related changes in the position of zonular insertion onto the anterior lens capsule.


METHODS
The study design was an experimental cadaveric eye study.


METHODS
Two hundred twenty-three cadaveric eyes (range, 16-100 years old) from eye banks in the United States were studied.


METHODS
The zonular insertion onto the anterior capsule was detected using a modified posterior photographic technique.


METHODS
The distances from the anterior zonular insertion (AZI) to the lens equator and to the ciliary sulcus, size of zonular-free zone, lens diameter, ciliary sulcus diameter, and axial length of the globe were measured.


RESULTS
Multiple regression analysis showed that age, lens diameter, and axial length of the globe had significant correlations with AZI (r2 = 0.748), among which age showed the highest relevance with AZI. Multiple regression equation was expressed as AZI = (0.0079 x age) + (0.202 x lens diameter) - (0.041 x axial length of the globe) + 0.0114. The increase in AZI was accompanied by a decrease in the size of zonular-free zone with age (r = -0.206, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Aging correlates with an increase in the distance from the anterior zonular insertion to the lens equator and a decrease in zonular-free zone.
Sakabe
I
I
Department of Ophthalmology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Oshika
T
T
Lim
S J
SJ
Apple
D J
DJ
D000065:Accommodation, Ocular; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008875:Middle Aged